Nail Care
How to Safely Trim Your Cat’s Claws
Small commercially produced cat claw clippers (from your local pet store) or human fingernail clippers work well for trimming feline claws.
Your kitten has had his/her nails trimmed weekly starting at 5 weeks to familiarize them with having its claws trimmed.
Breeder Tip! Try to trim a cat’s claws when they are very relaxed or sleepy! This is a great way to get it done in a jiffy and without stress.
· With your cat facing away from you, hold the paw and gently press the toe pad to extend the claw (as they are naturally retracted).
· Trim the clear pointed hook end of the claw. Be careful not to cut into the pink area or ‘the quick’ found in the upper half of the claw as this will cause pain and bleeding.
If the cat becomes impatient or restless, take a break.
Sometimes you can only trim one or two claws per day, but the job will get done!
Reward your cat with a treat to encourage his cooperation.
If your cat does not cooperate, seek assistance from your veterinarian or an experienced cat groomer.
Generally, claws should be trimmed approximately every 3 to 6 weeks.
Coat
While a British Shorthair coat doesn’t really mat or tangle, a once-weekly brushing will keep the coat in good condition, remove loose fur, and distribute the skin’s natural oils.
A British Shorthair typically goes through a ‘moulting’ season in Sprint where the dense coat will shed more and these frequent brushings can help keep your house and cat’s belly free of excess fur.
Because their coat’s are usually thicker than your average cat, a great ‘go-to’ is actually a dog brush! For very dense coats during shedding season, the Furminator brush will be your best friend. Brush the coat in the direction of hair growth to make the process enjoyable for you and kitty. Furminator combs generally should not be used for long grooming durations or more than twice a month to avoid irritating the skin.
Teeth
While most cats can suffer from tooth and gum issues, this is often increased likelihood for British Shorthairs. Brush their teeth and gums at least once a week with a meat flavored cat toothpaste to avoid expensive vet bills in the future!
Eyes
While not prone to eye issues, it’s not uncommon for the ‘flatter-faced’ British Shorthair cats to have some discharge from the tear ducts. Use a warm, wet cloth to gently clear this away. If the discharge is excessive or seems like mucus, it may be an eye infection such as conjunctivitis that your vet can quickly remedy with ointment.
Ears
We suggest checking the ears before each brushing for any problems. Some wax is normal, but there shouldn’t be excessive buildup or anything with a distinct odor.
Baths
While bi-weekly brushing is usually sufficient, if your cat becomes very oily or comes in contact with something sticky or dirty- they may benefit from a bath. Brush your cat before the bath to remove loose fur and trim their nails to avoid scratches if he/she objects to the bath. Using warm water with a towel for grip at the bottom of a tub or sink will help kitty feel more comfortable. Avoid pouring water on their heads which could get in the ears. Instead, use a wet washcloth to clean the face. Use cat safe soaps sparingly and be sure to thoroughly rinse as the thick coat will hold a surprising amount of suds. Keep reassuring your cat that they’re doing great, and the bath will be over in no time!
Breeder Tip! As a special treat, we also keep a tube of Nutri-cal handy. This is simply a thick gel-like product that comes in a tube, and is a vitamin/mineral supplement. You can find it at any of the pet supply stores, or at your vets, or through the mail order catalogs. Almost all our cats seem to love the taste, and it makes a good reward for after bath times, or claw clipping, or the vet's office.
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